Rural Tradition and Cultural Identity of the Ionian Islands Evangelia D

Home , Cephalonia, Ionian Islands, Ionian Islands (region)

Journal of Business Management and Economics 07: 07 July (2019).

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Rural Tradition and Cultural Identity of the Ionian Islands Evangelia D. Parisi Doctor of Department οf Business Administration, University of the Aegean, Chios, Greece. DOI: https://doi.org/10.15520/jbme.v7i07.2640 Abstract: In recent years, people are more and more exhorted to “go back to tradition”. This tendency testifies every thinking person’s reflection on how tradition affects the cultural identity of the place where he lives. The subject of this study is the rural tradition of the four Ionian Islands, Kefalonia, Corfu, Zante and Lefkada, as well as its contribution to the shaping of their common cultural identity. At a time when there is high economic, political and social instability, it is important to recognize the cultural identity of a specific area of Greece, the Ionian Islands, located in the Ionian and the Adriatic Sea, a region of great geopolitical significance. Since the Ionians’ economy was based on agriculture (olive cultivation, viticulture), livestock farming (cheese making), fishing and bee-keeping, these activities formed an integral part of the culture and the history of each place and its residents. The eating habits of the traditional farming societies are benchmarks of their cultural level. The products of the Ionian Islands are closely linked to several social events as well. In that way, they show the connection that exists between a place’s cuisine and culture. Many rural customs and eating habits of the Ionian Islands originate from their centuries-old traditions. They are linked to the farmers’ concern on the land’s fruitage. Nowadays, due to the technological evolution, some Ionian traditions are extinct. They may still exist in remote mountain areas, but in that case they fulfill the purpose they traditionally had.

Key words: Rural Tradition, Cultural Identity, Ionian Islands.

INTRODUCTION Our country needs to protect and maintain its culture, as well as introduce it responsibly to other nations. Cultural Tradition is a transfer- usually oral- of customs, practices societies are the ones that strongly support Greek tradition. and beliefs within the persons that share a common culture. It is the procedure thanks to which these customs are THE CULTURE OF THE IONIAN ISLANDS maintained and perpetrated. The cultural values of the past that defined and created the distinctive elements of the The Ionian Islands located in the Ionian and the Adriatic Greek people constitute the Greek tradition. These values Sea. The complex of islands called Eptanisa, is a distinct even today irrigate our culture and enrich our cultural historic region they date to the centuries-long Venetian identity with elements of our national roots. rule, which preserved them from becoming part of the Ottoman Empire, and created a distinct cultural identity Tradition is the chain that connects the different generations with many Italian influences. The Ionian Islands became of a culture. Through tradition, our generation is linked not part of the modern Greek state in 1864. These islands only to the past, but also to the future. At the same time, it is are Corfu, Paxi, Lefkada, Ithaca, Kefalonia, Zakynthos, a requirement for the existence of a culture. There are Kythira and their neighboring islets. Ionian Islands don’t different types of tradition: constitute geographically a united group, because Kythira is . Linguistic, spiritual tradition (related to a place’s between south Peloponnese and Crete, but they had had a customs, folk songs, myths, sayings etc.) common historical course for a long time. The various . Housing tradition (individual buildings and whole depredations of occupation, piracy, earthquakes and time, villages) and Folk tradition (local crafts, clothes, have all taken their toll on the Ionian Islands, but you can dances, celebrations etc.) get an idea of the islands' ancient culture by visiting the . Rural tradition (activities, products etc.) small but impressive archaeological museums in Corfu, Lefkada and Zakynthos. Mycenaean tombs have been found Its scope includes all the aspects of life, from happiness to on Kefallonia, Lefkada and Zakynthos, and it's believed death. In that way, it reflects how each nation passes its there was a Mycenaean colony on Kythira. Evidence from everyday life. the Corinthian period includes geometrically patterned Corfiot pottery, Doric temples and the famous Gorgon The culture of the Ionian Islands evolved since the ancient Medusa frieze displayed in Corfu's archaeological museum times until today and for many centuries, it varied from the (Σκλαβενίηης, 2014). ones in the rest parts of Greece. It holds a specific cultural identity, different than the one existing in the rest of the Following the Ottoman conquest of mainland Greece, the country. All islands of Ionian Sea are characterized by rich islands were inundated by religious painters who developed vegetation, countless natural sights and great cultural a significantly western style of iconography (dubbed the tradition. These islands attract a lot of Greek and foreign Ionian school). tourists all the year round.

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The main sources of goods in the Ionian Islands are: The cultivated olives grown on the island of Kefalonia are: 1. Agriculture (olive cultivation, viticulture) “Thiako” (mainly in Ithaki), “Koroneiki” and “Lianolia” (or 2. Livestock farming (cheese making) “Korfolia”). 3. Fishing 4. Bee-keeping At the same time, the Ionians share common characteristics Ionian Islands’ economy is mainly based on agriculture that as regards livestock farming. The main characteristics of is different from island to island. Their principal agricultural livestock farming in the Ionian Islands are: products are oil, grapes, wine, greens, garden produce, . Free agricultural holding currant, citrus fruits, melons, watermelons, fruits and dried . Animal housing (folds, sheep pens) and places for fruits (Anogiatis, 2004). During the Venetian occupation, producing and storing cheese products there was a great interest on the cultivation of olive trees, . Sheep-shearing during May whereas the bacchanal emblems on the coins once existing in Corfu, Zante and Lefkada testify to the residents’ A farmer faces everyday problems and difficulties that occupation with viticulture. Agricultural activities form an mainly have to do with animal diseases. The most important integral part of the culture and the history of each place and works he has to do is watching the herd, milking, shearing its residents (Belia, 1986 & Μοζτόποσλος, 1988), and cheese making. The starting points of the pastoral life are the feast days of St. Demetrius (when farmers come The rural landscape of Kerkyra with its olive groves on the down from the mountain to the pasture) and of St. George slopes of the hills is alternated with the shores and the (when they go up to the mountain pastures). Feta, Kefalotyri beaches forming an unparallel landscape with a unique and Mizythra are the main types of cheese produced in infinite beauty. Kefalonia. Graviera, Mizythra and Ladotyri are made in Zante, Salami, Feta, Ladotyri and Cave Aged Graviera in The cultivated olive types are “Asprolia”, “Corfu”, Lefkada, while Corfu is characterized by its butter, Salado “Mavrolia” and “Lianolia”. Specifically, the local cultivar and Noumboulo (types of salami). “Lianolia” (or “Korfolia” or “Ladolia Corfu”) has been traditionally cultivated on the island of Corfu for centuries The honey produced in the Ionian Islands is a natural and it is a cultivar adapted to the particular soil and climate organic product that tastes great and has an ideal density, conditions of Corfu. This is the reason why the “Lianola” without being at all processed. Thyme honey, which is their cultivar is a valuable genetic resource that deserves to be commodity product, has an intense aroma and is harvested protected and be exploited because it can produce high in late July and early August. quality olive oil, such as “St. Matthew’s Corfu olive oil”, which has been certified as PGI olive oil. Fishing is until today developing in the Ionian Islands. Fishermen either owe a boat or a trawl or work on another The Zakynthian olive groves are renowned for the fishing vessel. In the past, fishermen used to sell their own cultivation of olive oil which has been an integral part of the fish, by putting them inside baskets and carrying them island’s economy since the age of Homer. The long tradition around. Some fish, like cods, herrings, sardines, octopuses of the olive oil cultivation in conjunction with the particular and bonitos, were salted, in order not to get rotten. weather conditions (sunshine, soil moisture during the critical periods of fruiting and ripening, as well as the Traditional livestock products, like milk, cheese and meat relatively high humidity of the atmosphere have a positive (pork, ovine, goat and poultry meat) have been priceless effect on the growth of the olive fruit trees), and favour the nutritional treasures, mostly thanks to their quality, their production of the prestigious olive oil with features that are nutritional value and their culinary supremacy. Hunting has not found in oany other region. also been a way of finding food in harsh times. Thanks to the rich fauna of the Ionian Islands, which consists mainly The Zakynthian olive oil is produced from the olive types of of poultry, hares and rabbits, residents were able to the "Koroneiki" and "Local Lianolia". It has excellent experiment and create new recipes for these types of food. quality and it has been registered as a PGI product since 1998 (Arvanitakis, 2000) The food of the Ionian Islands is strongly linked to each island's particular history. Corfu, for example, was never An excellent quality olive oil produced from Kefalonia’s occupied by the Turks, and retains traditional Italian, olive groves. The composition of Kefallinian land soil and Spanish and Greek recipes. Pasta is a common specialty with its specific climatic conditions create suitable there, as are Italian-inspired lasagne-like concoctions. The conditions for the growth of olives. The olive oil stands out need for food storage led people devise another cooking for its quality and taste which is considered unique. method, called Savoro. Savoro (it. Pesce in saor) refers to the storage of fish and vegetables using vinegar, olive oil or The Olive oil production in Kefalonia is transferred from salt with caper and rosemary. Bread is also a basic food generation to generation and the cultivation of the olive tree, here: There are different types of bread, depending on the the olive collection and the fruit processing for the type of wheat used for making it. A great number of production of olive oil are still harvested in a traditional way customs, superstitions and sayings are related to bread and known only by the Kefallinians. Thereby, the outcome of its preparation: rural housewives were always doing their this delicious olive oil is of exceptional quality, such as the best to make tasty Christmas cakes and loafs, using wheat certified PGI olive oil “Kefalonia”. flour and adding herbs and sugar in the dough, before giving

11 Evangelia D. Parisi, al, Journal of Business Management and Economics, 7 (07), July, 2019 it various shapes and sprinkling it with sesame seeds Kerkyra has a population of 103,300 (including Paxoi), (Arvanitakis, 2002). Zakynthos 40,650, Kefallonia 39,579 (including Ithaca), Lefkada 22,536, Ithaki 3,052, Kythera 3,000 and Paxi 2,438 For example, broccoli marks the ending of Advent Fast, fish (Hirst & Sammon 2014). is eaten on Palm Sunday and lentil soup at St. Donatos fair in Lefkada (August 6th). In St. Spiridon day in Corfu In recent decades, the islands have lost much of their (December 12th) people offer traditional Greek doughnuts to population through emigration and the decline of their visitors, while they also offer sponge cake when a baby is traditional industries, fishing and marginal agriculture. born, aliada (mashed potatoes with garlic) on Holy Cross Today, their major industry is tourism. Specifically Kerkyra, Day and soup with egg and lemon sauce on Christmas day. with its harbor, scenery and wealth of ruins and castles, is a Fitoura (fried thick cream made of semolina and water) as favorite stopping place for cruise liners. British tourists in well as pasteli (sweet made of sesame seeds and honey) are particular are attracted through having read Gerald Durrell's offered at fairs, whereas madolato (sweet made of honey, evocative book My Family and Other Animals (1956), baked nuts and egg whites) is eaten on Carnival. Moreover, which describes his childhood on Kerkyra in the 1930s. The cooking accompanies significant moments of a person’s life: novel and movie Captain Corelli's Mandolin are set in in Corfu, people cook octopus with rice at engagements, so Kefallonia, in which Captain Corelli is part of the Italian that the couple endures like rice and the family grows like occupation force during the Second World War. the octopus tentacles. In addition, in Zante, the locals offer soumada (almond milk) in marriages ( Arvanitakis, 2002) Cuisine of the Ionian islands in Greece is the cuisine of the region of Ionian islands. It has influences, more than any Various products of the countryside of Lefkada are used in other part of Greece, from the Italian cuisine due to the its cuisine. Different types of pies are made: pies with long-time Venetian domination. The cuisine of the Ionian sweet-smelling herbs, with rice, pasta pies (with milk, eggs, Islands offers great specialties, such as Pastitsada and the oil and cheese) and Briyani, which is made of zucchini. veal Sofrito of Corfu, the rooster ragu and custard pie of Traditional dishes of Lefkada: Braised rooster with Lefkada, the fig pie of Ithaca and the meat pie of Kefalonia. spaghetti, Frygadelli (barbequed liver), Octopus cooked in flower-pot, Cod in Bianko etc. CONCLUSION

Kefallonia is the islands' culinary capital, known for its The history of the Ionian Islands has been one of foreign cheeses and meat pie (kreatopita) - a delicious combination occupations and this is reflected in the architecture and the of lamb, onions, rice, potatoes, carrots and tomatoes covered culture of the Islands. Corfu is a perfect example of where in filo. Skordalia is a delicious mezedes mainstay - it's the East meets West with aspects of both ancient and modern, origin of that familiar item on many a '90s menu, garlic classical and exotic. “The city was Venetian until 1780… mash. Kefallonia is also an important producer of wine - the nearest the sea there is the most beautiful esplanade in the Robola de Cephalonie dry white is well worth searching out world”, wrote Edward Lear in 1848. - while the sole-remaining legacy of the much-maligned British culinary palate is Corfu Town's tsin tsin birra - Many rural customs and eating habits of the Ionian Islands ginger beer (lashings of). originate from their centuries-old traditions. They are linked to the farmers’ concern on the land’s fruitage. Nowadays, TODAY due to the technological evolution, some Ionian traditions are extinct. They may still exist in remote mountain areas, Over the centuries, weaving and embroidery have been but in that case they fulfill the purpose they traditionally important cottage industries throughout the Ionians, and had. today the town of Karya on Lefkada is still noted for its embroidered linens and lace work. Ceramic tableware is REFERENCES another local industry, particularly on Zakynthos. Other popular cultural expressions include dances performed on [1]. Anogiatis-Pele D., (2004), «The Ionian Islands: from the saints days and at weddings, again particularly in Zakynthos political arithmetic to the statistics of the population 18th- Island. 20th cents, Proceedings of the 6th Pan-Ionian Conference, 2, Levkada 26-30 May 2002. Religion is still integral to life in the Ionians, and the year [2]. Arvanitakis D., (2000) «Zante during the first half of the remains centered on the festivals of the Church calendar; sixteenth century», Istorika, 20, (39), (2000). name days, weddings and funerals make up the other important events. The islands are dotted with hundreds of [3]. Arvanitakis D., (2002) «Trends in the historiography of the Ionian Islands (17th- early 19th century)”, Proceedings of tiny churches, most of them built by individual families in th the name of their selected patron saint. Traditions die the 6 International Pan-Ionian Conference, Levkada 26- hardest in the inland mountain villages, and remote Kythira 30 May 2002. remains the most unspoiled and most traditional of the [4]. Belia E., (1986) «The ideology of Ionian historiography in islands. Tourism has made obvious inroads into traditional the Nineteenth Century», Proceedings of the 5th Pan- cultures, but high-rise resorts and yachting harbors apart, Ionian Conference Athens, 1986. every island has religious and secular festivities that have [5]. Hirst, A., & Sammon, P (2014) The Ionian Islands: Aspects been celebrated for hundreds of years. Today, all the islands of Their History and Culture. London: Cabridge Scholars are part of the Greek region of the Ionian Islands (Ionioi Puplishing. Nisoi), except Kythera, which is part of the region of Attica.

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